KIRKLAND — With a 10-8 win over Hiawatha, Rockford Christian (6-2) guaranteed itself a spot in the IHSA playoffs. It didn’t come easy either, as the Royals needed a Drew Anderson interception with 30 seconds to seal the victory.

“The receiver wasn’t looking, and I read the quarterback,” Anderson said.

It was the second key defensive stop in the final three minutes for the Royals. On Hiawatha’s (3-5) previous possession, Colton Gann and Dennis Mikulich teamed up to tackle Angel Hernandez for a loss on fourth down at the RC 24.

The only second-half points came on a 29-yard, third-quarter field goal by RC’s Conrad Ognibene.

“A high school game decided by a field goal,” said Hiawatha coach Sean Donnelly, shaking his head.

“After all the years of playing varsity, I didn’t feel any pressure,” Ognibene said. “We had trouble earlier in the season on kicks, but we have it down now. The blocking was great.”

Ognibene, who also plays quarterback, passed to Albert Piamonte (21 yards), Jake Bliss (12 yards) and Drake Grindle (13 yards) to power the drive that led to the field goal.

Hiawatha fumbled on RC’s 3 on its first drive of the game. It was recovered by Mitchell Lindquist.

“If we finish that opening drive, it’s a different game,” Donnelly said.

The Royals took a 7-0 lead in the second quarter on a 11-yard TD pass from Ognibene to Anderson. It was set up by another Hiawatha fumble.

“In three of our four losses, turnovers have killed us,” Donnelly said.

With 36 seconds left in the half, Hiawatha’s Ricky Failla hit Floyd Webster on a 34-yard TD pass. The pair then connected on the PAT.

- Andy Colbert, rrstar.com